Seat occupancy recognition

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a seat occupancy recognition device for recognising the occupancy of a seat, characterised by at least one volume detection device with at least one first sensor, which is provided and designed to detect a volume on the vehicle seat, and at least one body function detection device with at least one second sensor, which is provided and designed to detect body functions, wherein the first sensor comprises a detection area, the maximum being in a range over and/or in front of the seat.

The invention relates to seat occupancy recognition for a vehicle seat,in particular commercial vehicle seats, and to a method for recognisingthe occupancy of a seat.

The prior art discloses vehicle seats by means of which it can berecognised whether or not a vehicle seat is occupied. Simple seatshaving seat occupancy recognition use sensor data, which can be used torecognise a weight on the vehicle seat and to draw conclusions onwhether the seat is occupied by a person.

However, this method and the vehicle seat are not able to accuratelyrecognise whether a person or any given object, e.g. a crate of beer, ispositioned on the commercial vehicle seat.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is providing a seatoccupancy recognition device for a vehicle seat, in particular acommercial vehicle seat, by means of which it can be recognised whethera person is sitting on and occupying a vehicle seat.

The object addressed by the present invention is solved by a seatoccupancy recognition device comprising at least one volume detectiondevice having at least one first sensor provided and designed to detecta volume on the vehicle seat, and comprising at least one body functiondetection device having at least one second sensor provided and designedto detect body functions, in particular after a volume has beendetected. More preferably, the seat occupancy recognition devicecomprises at least one body function measuring device for measuring thedetected body functions.

In addition or as an alternative, a mass can also be recognised by meansof the volume detection device, such that a seat occupancy is recognisedwhen a mass is positioned on the vehicle seat. As another alternative orin addition, outlines can also be recognised in order to recognise aseat occupancy in this manner.

The volume detection device of the seat occupancy recognition cantherefore be designed as a volume-mass detection device, by means ofwhich a volume and/or a mass can be determined.

A volume should be understood to mean at least a portion of the volumeof a human body. By means of a volume detection device or a volume-massdetection device, it can therefore be recognised whether at least aportion of the volume of the human body is positioned on the vehicleseat.

It is also conceivable to have sensors or sensor apparatuses that cansimultaneously detect and register the occupancy of a seat and a bodyfunction, sensors or sensor apparatuses of this kind of course having toread and process the recorded signals properly.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of an outline and amass can additionally be detected by means of the first sensor of thevolume detection device.

Advantageously, both the volume detection device, or volume-massdetection device, and the body function detection device comprise atleast one sensor by means of which a volume or body function can bedetected. A sensor of this kind can be designed as a capacitive sensor,an inductive sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a photoelectric sensor,an ultrasound sensor, or a combination thereof. Obviously, other typesof sensor, not listed specifically here, are also conceivable.

Advantageously, the sensors are designed to allow contact-freedetection. It is, of course, also conceivable for detection to bepossible by the sensors coming into contact with the person or the like,although contact-free detection is advantageous since these sensors donot restrict or impair the person in their work.

Particularly advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition device and,in particular, the sensors are integrated in the vehicle seat, andspecifically such that they are arranged and particularly advantageouslyintegrated in a seat part and/or in a backrest part. According to theinvention, the maximum of detection areas of at least the at least onefirst sensor being substantially in a range over the seat, in otherwords, in a range in which the person seated on the vehicle seat isexpected to be found.

In this case, the detection areas can take various geometric shapes, forexample round, oval, elliptical or even rectangular. As a result,adapting or shaping to fit the volume to be detected is conceivable. Inparticular, the detection areas can be adapted to the expected volume onthe vehicle seat.

Alternatively or in addition, it is conceivable for at least one sensorto be arranged and, in particular, integrated in at least one armrestand/or in a display apparatus. Furthermore, in addition oralternatively, it is conceivable for at least one sensor to be arrangedand, in particular, integrated in a cover of the vehicle seat, inparticular a side cover.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one of cardiacfunction and pulmonary function can be recognised by means of the secondsensor of the body function detection device. Alternatively or inaddition, it is conceivable for gestures and/or movements typical ofhumans to be detected by means of the second sensor.

According to the invention, the seat occupancy recognition devicecomprises a body function recognition device for recognising bodyfunctions. For example, the recorded body functions can advantageouslyalso be assigned to a person, and thus, the seat being occupied by ananimal or at least one manipulated object can be ruled out.

According to another preferred embodiment, the second sensor is designedand provided to record sensor data and to transmit said data to the bodyfunction measuring device, the measurement data being able to becompared with previously recorded measurement data by means of the bodyfunction measuring device in order to determine a health status.

As a result of comparing sensor data with previously recorded sensordata, it may be that either a deviation from a setpoint or a change inthe values is observed and conclusions can be drawn from thecorresponding observation. For example, a continual increase in bodytemperature leads to the conclusion that, for example, the driver couldbecome too hot.

Further advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition device comprisesa control device that is preferably connected to the volume detectiondevice and the body function detection device at least for signalling.By means of the control device, a volume detection by means of thevolume detection device can be initiated first, followed by a bodyfunction detection once the volume detection is complete. In particular,the result of the volume detection can be used further by the controldevice. If the volume detection is negative, no body function detectionis possible, for example, since the basic requirement for seat occupancyis not met.

However, if the volume detection is positive, the control deviceinitiates a body function detection.

Particularly advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition is active aslong as the vehicle, in particular the vehicle functions, are active orcan be activated.

For example, a vehicle can be deemed active if the engine has not yetbeen started but the ignition has already been activated, sinceactivating the ignition already enables many vehicle functions.

It is conceivable for the seat occupancy to be recognised continuouslyas long as the vehicle is active. Alternatively, it is also conceivablefor the seat occupancy to be recognised after regular or irregularperiods of time. In this context, the time periods can, of course, beselected and adjusted appropriately. Too long a period may result in theseat occupancy recognition being bypassed, which is, of course,undesirable due to safety issues.

It is also conceivable for the seat occupancy to be recognised when aparticular event occurs; the seat occupancy recognition isevent-triggered, e.g. by the actuation of vehicle functions.

Particularly preferably, the volume detection device and the bodyfunction detection device are designed such that the correspondingvolume and the corresponding body functions can be detected and measuredin a contact-free manner. Obviously, detection or measurement by contactis also conceivable, but it is more convenient for vehicle drivers ifcontact-free detection or measurement is possible.

Particularly preferably, the first sensor and the second sensor are eachselected from an optical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic,thermal, capacitive, acoustic or mechanical sensor. The detection areaof a capacitive sensor, in particular, can take various geometricshapes.

In addition, a body function measuring device can be provided by meansof which it can be recognised whether or not the recorded sensor datacan be assigned to a person. It can thus be ruled out that, for example,an animal is positioned on the seat and the seat occupancy recognitionis thus bypassed.

Furthermore, the seat occupancy recognition device can comprise a memoryor a memory apparatus by means of which the recorded sensor data fromthe corresponding sensors can be stored. These stored values can then beretrieved again for further use, for example for displaying the changein heart rate or breathing rate, or to recognise particular healthstatuses by comparing said values with previously recorded sensor data.

More preferably, the sensors used are either passive or active sensors,passive sensors being preferred since the seat occupancy recognitionshould be designed as simply as possible and should, if possible, notunnecessarily complicate the circuitry or construction of the vehicleseat.

The dependent claims set out further advantageous embodiments.

Additional aims, advantages and expediences of the present invention canbe taken from the following description in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a seat occupancy recognition device according to aparticularly preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a sensor arrangement according to another preferredembodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a sensor arrangement according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a sensor arrangement having a measurement region accordingto another preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a design of the seat occupancy recognition device 1according to a preferred embodiment, comprising a volume detectiondevice 2 and a body function detection device 3, the volume detectiondevice 2 and the body function detection device 3 each being connectedto a control unit 4 at least for signalling. In this case, the controldevice 4 comprises a memory 5 and a recognition device 6.

Advantageously, the seat occupancy recognition device 1, in particularthe control device 4, is also connected to the respective vehiclefunctions 7, at least for signalling, in order to release or block saidvehicle functions 7 depending on whether the result of the seatoccupancy recognition is positive or negative.

It is also conceivable for the memory 5 and the recognition device 6 notto be integrated in the control device 4, but rather to be independentdevices connected to the control device 4 at least for signalling.

Advantageously, both the volume detection device 1 and the body functiondetection device 3 are designed so as to be able to detect thecorresponding values in a contact-free manner.

The sensors 8 of the seat occupancy recognition device 1, in particularthe volume detection device 2 and the body function detection device 3,can be arranged as depicted in the following figures.

In an advantageous manner, FIG. 2 shows two sensors 8 used for volumedetection by the volume detection device 2. However, it is alsoconceivable for just one sensor 8 or more than two sensors 8 to beprovided. Preferably, however, at least two sensors 8 are provided inorder to ensure a certain level of redundancy in the seat occupancyrecognition device 1 and to detect the volume as accurately as possible.Independently of the embodiment, the detection areas 8′ can take variousgeometric shapes, for example oval or club-shaped, as can be seen inFIG. 2.

Regardless of the embodiment of the arrangement, the sensors 8 can bearranged in the vehicle seat, on the vehicle seat, in the vehicle, forexample in the vehicle inside roof lining, a floor mat, an armrest, aseatback extension, etc.

According to the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the sensors 8 arearranged in a lower region 14 of the backrest part 10. Preferably, thesensors 8 are integrated in the backrest part 10 such that the driver isnot affected when sitting on the vehicle seat 11. More preferably, thesensors 8 are designed so as to enable the volume or body functions tobe detected in a contact-free manner.

In this context, the detection areas 8′ advantageously extend in alongitudinal direction L, the longitudinal direction L preferablycorresponding to the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle seat 11.The dimensions in the vertical direction H and width direction B of thedetection areas 8′ are smaller than the dimension in the longitudinaldirection L in this case.

The sensors 8 and their detection areas 8′ can determine sensor datathat can be used by the seat occupancy recognition device 1, inparticular the volume detection device 2, to recognise whether a volumeV′, in this case the volume of the thigh, buttocks or back, ispositioned in the detection area 8′ of the sensors 8. The sensor datacan be stored appropriately in the memory 5 in order to be analysed, inparticular at a later time. It is also conceivable for the sensor data,which is in particular raw data from the sensors 8, to be displayedvisually, for example by means of a screen or the like, such that avehicle driver is given an overview of the current data and can thuscheck their own health status or suitability to drive.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative sensor arrangement. As in FIG. 2, the volumeof the thighs V′ is detected in this case, too, when a person ispositioned on the vehicle seat 11, although the sensors 8 and theirdetection areas 8′ are not arranged in the backrest part 10, but arerather arranged in the seat part 9, preferably integrated in the seatpart 9. In this case, the detection areas 8′ extend in the verticaldirection H. Particularly advantageously, the sensors 8 are arranged ina front region 15 of the seat part 9, as a result of which both normalsitting on the vehicle seat 11 and sitting on the front region 15 of theseat part 9 are possible.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, in which the sensors 8 are arranged inthe front region 15 of the seat part 9, as in FIG. 3. However, twosensors 8 are arranged such that their detection areas 8′ extend in thevertical direction and two sensors 8 are arranged such that theirdetection areas 8′ extend in the longitudinal direction L, said sensors8 being arranged on or close to a front 16 of the seat part 9. By meansof the sensors 8 arranged on the front, the volume V′ of the lower legscan also be detected in addition to the volume V′ of the thighs.

It is also conceivable for the sensors 8 not to be positioned in thefront region 15 of the seat part 9, but rather to be arranged in anyother region of the seat part 9. This applies similarly to thearrangement of the sensors 8 in relation to the backrest part 10.

FIG. 5 shows a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor 8 that isarranged neither in the seat part 9 nor in the backrest part 10, butrather is arranged on and/or in an armrest 12. In this case, thedetection area 8′ of the sensor 8 is oriented such as to be directedtowards the expected volume V′ of the thighs. In this case, it is alsoconceivable for the detection area 8′ to be directed towards the upperbody, the feet and/or lower leg region.

Instead of an armrest 12 as shown in FIG. 5, a display device 13 asshown in FIG. 6 can also be provided, said display device preferablybeing designed as a screen or the like.

The at least one sensor 8 in FIG. 6 is designed so that its detectionarea 8′ detects a volume V′. However, if the orientation of thedetection area 8′ is altered, as shown for example in FIG. 7, bodyfunctions can also be detected in addition or alternatively to thevolume detection by designing the at least one sensor 8 accordingly. Inthis case, possible designs of the sensor 8 include a photoelectricsensor, a heat sensor, an optical sensor designed so as to be suitablefor image processing, or an optical sensor designed so as to be suitablefor contour recognition. It is also conceivable to position the sensor 8from FIG. 7 in an armrest 12 in order to detect the volume and/or bodyfunctions as desired.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a sensor arrangement. In this case,at least one sensor 8 is arranged in a seat cover part 17 of the vehicleseat, a detection area 8′ extending in the width direction B,advantageously in a direction formed of the width direction B, thelongitudinal direction L and optionally the vertical direction H.

Preferably, the detection area 8′ is formed such that the volume of thethighs V′ can be detected, other volume regions also being possible.

Also advantageously, the seat cover part 17 is a component of the coverof the seat part 9 or a part of the cover of the region in which anarmrest 12 is arranged, and the adjustment mechanism of the armrest 12is hidden by the cover. Of course, other regions of the seat cover arealso conceivable, for example a bucket of the backrest cushioning, orthe like.

FIG. 9 shows a different detection area 8′ of one or more sensors 8 (notshown here). As can be seen, the detection area 8′ is U-shaped andaccordingly substantially matches the shape of the region of the thighsand the hips of a person sitting on the vehicle seat.

All the features disclosed in the application documents are claimed asbeing essential to the invention if they are novel over the prior artwhen taken in isolation or in combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Seat occupancy recognition device-   2 Volume detection device-   3 Body function detection device-   4 Control device-   5 Memory-   6 Recognition device-   7 Vehicle function-   8 Sensor-   8′ Sensor detection area-   9 Seat part-   10 Backrest part-   11 Vehicle seat-   12 Armrest-   13 Display device-   14 Lower region of the backrest part-   15 Front region of the seat part-   16 Front of the seat part-   17 Seat cover part-   L Longitudinal direction-   B Width direction-   H Vertical direction

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat occupancy recognition device forrecognizing the occupancy of a seat, comprising: at least one volumedetection device having at least one first sensor provided and designedto detect a volume on the vehicle seat, and at least one body functiondetection device having at least one second sensor provided and designedto detect body functions, the first sensor comprising a detection area,the detection area including an area over the seat, in front of the seaton both over and in front of the seat.
 2. The seat occupancy recognitiondevice according to claim 1, wherein at least two first sensors areprovided.
 3. The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1,wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged in a lower region of abackrest of the seat.
 4. The seat occupancy recognition device accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged in a seatpart of the seat.
 5. The seat occupancy recognition device according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is arranged in anarmrest, the armrest preferably being connected to the seat.
 6. The seatoccupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein at least oneof an outline and a mass can additionally be detected by means of thefirst sensor of the volume detection device.
 7. The seat occupancyrecognition device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of cardiacfunction, pulmonary function and gestures and/or movements typical ofhumans can be recognised by means of the second sensor of the bodyfunction detection device.
 8. The seat occupancy recognition deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the seat occupancy recognition devicecomprises a memory device, by means of which sensor data that can berecorded by the body function detection device can be stored.
 9. Theseat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond sensor is designed and provided to record sensor data and totransmit said data to the body function measuring device, themeasurement data being able to be compared with previously recordedmeasurement data by means of the body function measuring device in orderto determine a health status.
 10. The seat occupancy recognition deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor areeach selected from a group comprising an optical, electrical, magnetic,electromagnetic, thermal, capacitive, acoustic or mechanical sensor. 11.The seat occupancy recognition device according to claim 1, wherein atleast one body function measuring device for recognising the measuredbody functions.
 12. The seat comprising a seat occupancy recognitiondevice according to claim 1.